Those who wish to lose weight or improve their health are often confused by the dozens, if not hundreds of diets to choose from. High carbohydrates-low fat, and high protein-low carbohydrates represent the extreme opposites of the popular diet spectrum. Why is it that one person will lose weight and feel better on a particular diet, while another suffers horribly on the very same diet? And how can one know which diet will work best for oneself?
Dr. Peter J. D' Adamo may have the answer. In his book Eat Right for Your Type; he details the evolutionary origins of blood type, the changes in environment that influenced them, and the physiological differences between the blood types that resulted.Type-O, the original blood type, was the predominate blood type of the early hunter-gatherers. Type-A later gained prominence when agriculture began to replace hunting as the primary means of food acquisition. With later environmental changes Type-B developed, and as groups of A and B began to intermingle, AB emerged. Biochemistry adapted to meet these environmental changes. Thus, for example, Type-Os do better on a high animal protein/low carbohydrate diet, and Type-As the opposite. This can be demonstrated physiologically as Os have a high acid content in their stomachs, necessary for digesting meat, and Type-A's stomachs have a high alkaline content, necessary for digesting grain.
In his next book, Live Right for Your Type, he goes into greater detail, explaining how these physiological differences go beyond diet and can profoundly influence the way we will respond to the stresses of our environment.
For example: blood type A (then B) are the most prone to be cortisol (a catabolic hormone that breaks down amino acids from the muscles and converts them into glucose for energy) resistant and tend to have the highest rise in cortisol with stress. They also tend to have the most problems with lowering cortisol levels to normal following stress. Cortisol has anti-inflammatory properties, and is necessary for life, but when chronically elevated can cause lethargy, illness, and even loss of muscle.
This is critical for exercise prescription, and suggests that Type-As are more prone to overtraining, and need to take a slower, more moderate approach when beginning an exercise program.
Also interesting, and significant:
The blood type response to stress greatly influences thyroid hormone function on the cellular level. Proper thyroid levels are critical for maintaining normal bodyfat levels.
Types A and AB are the only types that can do well on strict vegan diets.
Lectinsdiverse protein structures found in many common foodscan have specific interactions with cells, tissues and the immune system depending on blood type.
Below is a brief overview of D'Adamo's recommendations:
Type-O: Emphasize animal proteins; focus on anger management; engage in vigorous exercise; control impulsive behavior.
Type-A: Emphasize vegetables; concentrate on stress management; engage in gentle exercise to reduce stress; take naps or frequent breaks to stay focused.
Type-B: Vary your diet; focus on creative outlets, engage in meditation to reduce stress; avoid emotional overreaction.
Type-AB: Eat smaller, more frequent meals; focus on cultivating your spiritual tendencies; break up your day physical activity to feel more energized; avoid feelings of isolation.
Admittedly, this all does sound a bit like alchemy, and much of his evidence is anecdotal, however Dr. D'Adamo does make a convincing case, particularly in his second book which notes several new medical studies that give support to his theories and recommendations.
For those who would like more information, Peter J. D' Adamo's books are available from Amazon.com, or you can visit his website: www.dadamo.com.
About the author: Mark Ginther has over 20 years experience in sports, martial arts, and strength training. He has worked with numerous athletes including Michael Hawkins (formerly of the Boston Celtics), as well as several pro and amateur boxers. In 1999 he became the Strength & Conditioning Coach for AMC Kickboxing & Pankration.
He's recently returned from 6 years in Tokyo, where he was highly respected in both the fitness and martial arts industries. He trained K-1 Champion Nicholas Pettas for his comeback, and has written for, or been featured in several of the industry’s top publications. His monthly strength & conditioning column has appeared in Full Contact Fighter for 4 years, and ran for 2 years in IRONMAN Japan. He was featured in a cover story in Tokyo city magazine, Metropolis, and interviewed for the Japanese bodybuilding magazine, BODYPOWER. His fitness column ran in Tokyo’s Player for 6 months.
